We value your privacy. We may collect personal information from you for business, marketing, and commercial purposes.
Read more

We value your privacy. We may collect personal information from you such as identifying information (name, address, driver's license number), transactional information (products or services purchased and payment history), digital network activity (interactions with our website, IP address), geo-location data, audio recordings and other forms of personal information. We use this information for business, marketing and commercial purposes, including but not limited to, providing the products and services you request, processing your claims, protecting against fraud, maintaining security, confirming your identity and offering you other insurance and financial products.

For California residents, click here to view the full version of the California Consumer Privacy Notice.

Why won't my motorcycle start?

Some handy tips on what to do if your motorcycle won't start.

Just like discovering your “lost” glasses on your forehead or your “misplaced” keys already in your pocket, sometimes the reason your motorcycle, ATV or UTV won’t start can have an obvious solution. Use this handy guide to troubleshoot your problem and be on your way.

Was the ignition switch in the “on/run” position before the starter button was pushed?
If not, turn it to the “on/run” position and try it again.

Is the kill switch (usually on the handlebar adjacent to the throttle) turned to the “on/run” position?
If not, turn it to the “on/run” position and try it again.

Is the kickstand in the fully retracted (up) position?
If not, a stand safety switch may not allow the starter to engage and crank the engine.

Is the clutch lever pulled in all of the way?
If not, a clutch safety switch may not allow the starter to engage.

Is the battery in a sufficient state of charge to crank the engine?
If not, have the battery charged or replaced as necessary.

If the starter engages and cranks the engine but it fails to fire, is the fuel valve (if so equippedfootnote[1]) in the “on” position?
If not, turn the fuel valve to the “on” position, wait 15-20 seconds for the carburetor's float bowls to fill and try starting it again.

Is there sufficient fuel in the fuel tank?
If not, add fuel.

Is the engine carbureted or fuel injected?
If carbureted, was the choke or mixture enricher set to the appropriate position to start the engine at the current temperature? (Both ambient air temperature and engine temperature need to be considered.)

If all of these items have been checked/corrected/adjusted and it is still not starting, additional diagnosis and tools may be needed.

Footnotes

[1] Most carbureted motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs will have a fuel valve at the fuel tank that must be in the “on” or “reserve” position to allow fuel flow to the carburetor. Most fuel injected models do not have these manual fuel control valves. ⤶